I wanted to crack my head against the wall of Rene’s Diner & Pension House at my lack of common sense. I arrived a day ahead of Iligan City’s Waterfalling Adventure 1.0 and I have no idea what to do for the day. I dropped my bag and checked Google Maps. Ozamiz City is just a few hours away from where I was staying.

Ozamiz City… Ozamiz City... The ferry I boarded from Cebu to Iligan anchored at its port just two hours ago. I should’ve just alighted then to explore the city instead of this roundabout trip I was now planning to do. Pffft… Me and my great travel planning capabilities.

A cheap lunch at the nearest carinderia, a jeepney ride to the South Bound Terminal (Php8.00) and I was on the road again. This time aboard a bus (Php70.00) speeding through the national highway en route to Kolambugan’s Mukas Port. I’m going back to Ozamiz City.

I tried to forget the hours, and not to mention the fares, I wasted as I walked towards Mukas Port. Heavy mangroves line both sides of the road stuck with vehicles waiting entry to the port. Ozamiz City is just three songs away from the pier and motorists and pedestrians are queuing up on their way back to Ozamiz from whatever business they have in Lanao del Norte.

The sea, or more appropriately Iligan Bay, eventually showed itself. Its waters reflects the gray sky pregnant with rain. Hundreds of bamboos stick out from the bay forming clusters of fish pens. It looked like a scene from an apocalyptic seafaring movie.

Similar to the crossing between Iloilo City and Guimaras, the RORO ride from Kolambugan to Ozamiz City took only but a few minutes (Php25.00 + Php3.00 Terminal Fee). The ferry has both an enclosed and open area, which is a good thing since the rain started to really pour as we set sail.

Since it was still raining as my foot touched Ozamiz City, I hurriedly ran to the nearest food stalls along J.P. Rizal Avenue and had myself a taste of the city’s streetfood. I picked up four sticks of chicken isaws which they curiously call tinae, a stick of betamax and chorizos which I mistook for my favorite longanisa.

Paired with a couple of puso, I excitedly dipped my very early dinner at their sweet sauce. The chorizos were quite hard to eat without proper utensils since they’re all sticking together; biting on a single piece would inevitably bring with it the second one, and so on and so forth. Very very messy.

The tinae and betamax however were a different story. They were the best ones I’ve ever had! I think it might be due to the sweet sauce that was paired with it. Manileños usually dip these in vinegar swimming with onions, garlic and red hot chili peppers, but I like how they do it in Ozamiz!

After finishing off everything and letting out a satisfied burp, I spotted another cart selling more streetfood near the gates of Cotta Fort. I quickly checked it out. Fishballs for desserts? Haha. The kid was selling home-made fishballs; spooning a sticky mix from a small container and frying it on the spot. I had something similar in Miag-ao Church in Iloilo and they were excellent!

He was also selling what he called botsi. These are deep-fried breaded chicken neck skins (or was it esophagus?). It’s the first time I saw this kind of streetfood and I immediately grabbed a stick. It was freshly cooked and still hot; I quickly dipped it in the sweet spicy sauce and took a bite. It was superb! Crispy, salty, sweet and very spicy all at the same time.

I was pretty sure it was super bad for my health but I bought a couple more sticks, it wasn’t everyday that I’m in Ozamiz City. Well, okay it was my second time to drop by Ozamiz City in a single day, but what the heck.